HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 47

(By Delegates Hall, L. Phillips, Moore and White)

Requesting the Bradshaw Bridge in Bradshaw, McDowell County, West Virginia on State Route 80, specifically bridge number 24 at mile post 0.02, be named the “James Ray Bailey Memorial Bridge.”

    Whereas, James Ray Bailey was born October 8, 1974 in Richlands, Virginia, the son of Clarence and Lissie Hicks Bailey and raised in West Virginia, graduating from Iaeger High School and employed as a firefighter for approximately ten years and then by the McDowell Ambulance Authority; and

    Whereas, James Ray Bailey died on September 8, 2010, at the young age of 35 years from injuries sustained in an ambulance accident while in the performance of his duties; and

    Whereas, James Ray Bailey’s marriage to Heather Bailey produced two children, namely Phillip James Bailey, age 11 years and Izabella Faith Bailey, age 6 years; and

    Whereas, James Ray Bailey was a young man who served his community as a firefighter and EMS with the McDowell Ambulance Authority. He was quick to respond to all calls as a first responder, whether it be to the fire department, an automobile wreck or other emergency. He has been described as a “people person” who knew everyone in his community and he loved putting smiles on their faces. While he enjoyed fishing, hunting, bike riding, roller blades and pool, his children, family and being a father were his main enjoyments. He is survived by his children, their mother, his mother and father, two sisters, Pamela Bailey Mullins and Keisha Bailey Rife, a brother, Russell Bailey, maternal grandmother, Mealie Hicks, and other in-laws, nephews and nieces, other family members, friends and co-workers. He was a young man dedicated to serving his community, who died in that service and will be missed by all who knew him; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the Bradshaw Bridge number 24 on State Route 80 at mile post 0.20 in Bradshaw, McDowell County, West Virginia the “James Ray Bailey Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to cause to be fabricated signs to be erected at each entryway of the bridge, containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge to be named the “James Ray Bailey Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and the surviving family of James Ray Bailey.